By Andrew Clark Underground development is a critical aspect of modern mining operations, allowing for the access and extraction of valuable resources buried deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Unlike open-pit mining, which involves removing large volumes of overlying rock, underground mining targets ore bodies that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable for surface extraction. The process begins with development mining, where drill rigs create drifts or declines to access the ore geometries. These tunnels form the “roads” through which miners, equipment, and materials travel. Watch a video guide to underground development below. Development mining is typically performed before actual ore…
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